Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I just don't understand. Perhaps I was lucky, but my CFD-540 works perfectly to this day. We've had it forever it seems, although that probably means we've had it closer to 10 years. There's nothing wrong with it... no reason to replace it. It fills the room with sound better than my newer model as well. I'm sure if you could find one now it would be very inexpensive and mine has not had a single problem in ten years. Give the CDF-540 its righteous due.

Strengths:
Great, full sound from speakers, records very well with dual tape decks, headphone jack, very durable

Weaknesses:
analog tuner, no remote (doesn't really matter unless you're a fattie, and this IS a pre-1995 model)

Similar Products Used:
JVC PC-XC11

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have had the sony CFD-540 stereo for 10 years and it was working beautifully all the way. when i replaced it, it was in bad shape. the tape deck was dead and both speakers were blown. but i served faithfully.

Strengths:
ok sound, good life

Weaknesses:
dial tuner, not very loud

Similar Products Used:
sony cfd-550

Summary:
It works for a while, but then the CD player starts to say "No Disk" all of the time, and also, the speakers tend to get a "worn" sound to them. Under the plastic faceplate covering the LCD screen, there is a place for a remote sensor, (CFD-550) but there is not a sensor there! This makes sense, but it pisses me off. The tape deck "moans" it makes noise...very disturbing. Also, its not very durable. I got mad and hit it, and now my LCD does not work. Okay, well, tha was my fault, but still this thing sucks. Also, the MegaBass is not mega or bass at all. Sony tried to make the MegaBass control a rotary knob type of thing, when this is a feature that is meant to be either "on" or "off"--no mid-range setting...they tried to do it, but failed...Stupid Sony. Also, I cannot dis-assemble the unit, because the screws are so far down in there, that you cannot get to them with a standard-length phillips screwdriver. It is too short to reach. My computer speakers, and CD-Rom Drive make a way bals-ier system than this...If you're going for a bookshelf system, buy an AIWA...Much better.

Strengths:
When you first get it, it appears to have "balls"...The tuner is the only thing that works good. The green headphone jack is pretty cool.

Weaknesses:
Everything.

Similar Products Used:
None this bad